People everywhere who like to add a little ~excitement~ to their texts celebrated World Emoji Day on Sunday, July 17 (AKA the day that appears on the iOS calendar emoji). In honor of the day, Tinder published a list of the most popular emojis used on the dating app. 

"There is certainly a science to dating. When it comes to dating, the use of emojis provides people with fodder for conversations as well as a lighthearted way to express reactions or feeling," Tinder sociologist Dr. Jess Carbino explained in an interview with Tech Times. If emojis are the secret to finding a future S.O. on dating apps, then this top ten list should have everything you need in your arsenal to ace the Tinder game. 

According to Bustle, Tinder users are huge fans of food-related emojis, including Slice of Pizza, Wine Glass, Hot Beverage (the coffee emoji) and Clinking Mugs of Beer. These emojis rank fourth, ninth, eighth and third on the list, respectively. No need to type out "Hey, let's grab a drink," when a simple, miniature picture of some red vino will do just fine. If you're feeling really brave, add in the Slice of Pizza emoji. Any worthwhile Tinder crush would never say no to pizza and wine! 

The Dancer emoji comes in at number ten on the list, while the Multiple Musical Notes emoji has number seven locked down. So far, it looks like food and music are the way to a Tinder user's heart. 

Number six is the Smiling Face with Heart-Shaped Eyes, showing that users are not afraid to show their feelings for their matches...or their feelings for pizza dates. 

Next on the list is the Earth Globe Americas emoji. You can use it as a symbol for a general love of travel across the globe, especially if you're looking for a match who shares your ~Wanderlust~. 

The second most popular emoji used on Tinder is the Person Raising Both Hands in Celebration. Cheers to Tinder users for sending positivity to each other and praising how great their match is!

The first emoji on the list, as in the most popular emoji among Tinder users, is none other than the Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes. This is the one you probably use when BAE says something super cute. 

You may have heard yourgynecologist use the phrase ‘pelvic floor,’ but do you really know anything about yours? If you don’t, there’s no need to stress—we’re giving you all the facts, plus tips on how to prevent issues from occurring down the road. We talked to Dr. Melinda Abernethy, Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and an expert on pelvic floor disorders. Here’s what you need to know.

What is your pelvic floor?

According to Dr. Abernethy, your pelvic floor is the set of muscles, ligaments and connective tissue at the base of your pelvis. Your pelvic floor is there to support your internal pelvic organs—your urethra and bladder, vagina and uterus and rectum. It also helps stabilize the pelvic bones. Though it is often overlooked, the pelvic floor is an important part of the body’s muscular core. So, now you know!

Why is it important?

“The pelvic floor helps with urination and bowel movements and helps prevent urine and fecal leakage,” says Dr. Abernethy. While this doesn’t sound very glamorous, keep in mind that the pelvic floor also plays a role in sexual enjoyment. Your pelvic floor muscles, known as the pubococcygeal (PC) muscles, contract during orgasm. Regular pelvic floor workouts, specifically kegel exercises (more on those later!), can lead to more enjoyable sex. Basically, you may be more easily aroused and/or have stronger orgasms.

What should college women know about their pelvic floors?

You may know that pregnancy and childbirth can weaken the pelvic floor, due to increasing pressure. Dr. Abernethy explains that there are other factors that can also negatively affect the pelvic floor, such as being constipated, having a chronic cough (like with smoking) and being overweight. “Even if you don’t have any of these risk factors, just getting older also impacts the pelvic floor,” says Dr. Abernethy. “It is better to start taking care of your pelvic floor BEFORE you have any issues. Exercises like yoga and pilates can help to strengthen your entire core, including the pelvic floor.” As if we needed another reason why yoga is good for us!

Related: 5 Things Your Gynecologist Wishes You Knew

How would you know if something was wrong with your pelvic floor?

According to Dr. Abernethy, “You should see your doctor if you have difficulty with holding onto or releasing urine or stool or if you have pain in your pelvis or vagina (including pain during intercourse).” She explains that you can talk to any doctor about these issues and they will direct you to the right specialist if needed. If you are experiencing pain during sex, you could have a problem with your pelvic floor. Contact your doctor if you feel that something may be wrong—better safe than sorry!

Should college women be doing kegel exercises to strengthen their pelvic floors?

One word: yes! “Similar to abdominal exercises to strengthen your abdominal core, women should exercise their pelvic floor muscles to help maintain their function,” says Dr. Abernethy. “Kegel exercises can be done anywhere or anytime. Just find the muscles that you use to stop the flow of urine, and squeeze them for 5-10 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times with 10 seconds of rest between each squeeze. Ideally, you would repeat the set three times a day, but anything is better than nothing.”

If you have any of the symptoms discussed above, however, Dr. Abernethy recommends seeing your doctor before starting kegel exercises. In some circumstances, they can make the situation worse.  

Related: 8 Exercises You Can Do Without The Gym

How does strenuous exercise affect the pelvic floor?

Listen up, sports stars! “Athletes, especially those who participate in high impact activities (gymnastics, track and field, soccer, field hockey, etc.) put additional strain on all of their core muscles, including the pelvic floor,” says Dr. Abernethy. “If anyone has tried to run when you really have to urinate, you should understand this well!” If you are a woman who falls into this category of athleticism, you should be aware that you are at increased risk for developing pelvic floor dysfunction. Because of this, you should participate in helpful pelvic floor activities like yoga, pilates and doing kegels. If you already engage in any of these exercises, you’re one step ahead of the game.

The pelvic floor may be overlooked, but it definitely should not be! Like Dr. Abernethy says, “Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about ANY symptoms associated with your pelvic floor. If you have a problem with urination, bowel movements or sexual function—tell us! We can help (it is what we do!) but only if we know that you have a problem.” Keep an eye out for any possible pelvic issues, and in the mean time, start doing those kegels!

It’s that wonderful time of the year again, the countdown to sorority recruitment! I cannot count the ways that sorority membership changed my life for the better, and a year ago I decided I wanted to help other young women find their home like I found mine. To do this, I applied to be a recruitment counselor, or Rho Gamma. I was so excited going into fall recruitment! I would get to mentor an amazing group of young women as they made one of the top five most important decisions of their college career—choosing a major, deciding to move off campus, deciding whether or not to graduate early and deciding whether or not to take that last shot of tequila were the rest of my top five.

What I didn’t realize was that after the process, I was going to hate sororities just a little bit. There were five main things that bothered me about recruitment, both for the PNMs (or potential new members) and for the active sisters.

1. The timing of recruitment.

The problem:

Recruitment happens later at my school than at most, but it still happens really early in the year. This means incoming freshman and transfer students, who make up the majority of the people going through recruitment, have little to no time to join other clubs or make other friends before they're thrown into sorority life head first leaving little time to do these things until the new member period is over. The result is that the bulk of girls in sororities only have friends in Greek life for at least the first year of college, a pattern that could and often does continue for the next few years.

Recruitment events, at least at my school, often start around 4:00 on week days. If a PNM has an afternoon class, labs often being in the afternoon, they need to choose to go to class or go to the recruitment event. We obviously tell PNMs to go to class, but sometimes especially in the later rounds, going to class means that they are guaranteed to get cut from a chapter. PNMs will often choose to go to the recruitment event because, “It’s only one missed class,” but they miss the point that by choosing to do so they are setting the precedent that their social life is more important than their academics.

The solution:

Formal recruitment should happen either at the end of the first semester, or at the beginning of the spring semester. Events should only happen after 6:00 in the evening or on weekends, or even the week before spring semester starts, so no class time is missed.

2. The superficial selection process.

The problem:

Recruitment parties are short. I know when I was recruiting for my chapter I rarely had time to get past name, grade, major, and what they were currently watching on Netflix; before I was whisked away to talk to someone else, or the party was over. This means I have to judge whether or not a PNM is a good fit for my chapter after knowing her for a total of five minutes. It doesn’t just work one way either; a PNM has maybe a half an hour on the first day to decide if she felt that a chapter could be her home for the next four years.

The solution:

PNMs should have the opportunity to create a profile and answer some basic personality questions. Think OkCupid but for sororities. On the first day of recruitment each PNM would be matched with an active sister, or two, in each chapter with some common interests. The active sisters would start by giving a short speech about why she chose her chapter, and why that chapter is special and unique. Then they could launch into conversation immediately without having to worry about the basic questions because that information is in the PNM's profile and can easily be reviewed later.

3. The rules surrounding active members.

The problem:

This has less to do with PNMs and more to do with active sisters. There are sets of rules actives must follow in the time before, and during recruitment. Some are fair, like not being able to socialize with PNMs outside of recruitment events. Others are bogus, like not being able to go to frat parties the month leading up to recruitment, amongst other things. The “frat ban” is said to prevent dirty rushing, but come on, dirty rushing happens no matter what. What it really does is paint a picture that the young women in sororities don’t party. Creating an image that partying is something to be ashamed of, and if something bad happens, it’s a woman’s fault because they were doing something wrong.

The solution:

No frat ban. It’s really that simple.

4. The rejection process.

The problem:

This one is pretty self-explanatory, and the hardest one to get around. Unfortunately there are often more PNMs than space in sororities. A recent University of Pennsylvania study found that sorority membership overall helped young women’s self esteem, but immediately after recruitment, their self esteem was at a low, even if they were selected for a chapter. This is because even if a PNM is offered a place in a chapter, it may not be her top choice chapter, and she has to wonder why the chapter she loved so much doesn’t love her back. Then there are the girls who get cut completely; at my school this year it was fortunately only 12. Some of them were due to glitches in the computer system used for recruitment, but some just got cut from all chapters.

The solution:

A time during each day of recruitment, either before or after all of the day’s events, where the recruitment chairs for all chapters should be able to meet with any PNM who was cut from their chapter and discuss the decision. For the young women who get cut completely, there should be post recruitment process where they are able to reach out to chapter they fell in love with and discuss the opportunity to talk to the chapter more and possibly receive a bid, assuming that their new member class is not already at capacity. All PNM’s would have the opportunity to clear the air with chapters and get some answers, and if a PNM was cut due to a glitch it could be resolved quickly and they would still have the opportunity to join a chapter.

5. The double standards.

The problem:

Ask any young women in a sorority what they think of recruitment and they will say that it is the most stressful time of the year, but then if you ask young men in fraternities the same questions, they’ll often shrug and say recruitment is just a kind of annoying time suck. This is because fraternities can choose how and when they recruit and don’t do so as a collective group of organizations. They can use burgers, beers, and boobs to recruit their new members; on the other hand if a sorority woman even mentions drinking during recruitment, she could be facing a potential fine. This sets the standard that women need to be controlled and monitored, while men can choose to do whatever they want.

The solution:

Bring together the sorority and fraternity governing boards to set one campus-wide recruitment standard incorporating the best parts of fraternity and sorority recruitment.

The good parts of sorority recruitment:

·       PNMs visit every chapter

·       It happens at the same time for every chapter

·       There is a centralized computer system for all PNMs and chapters

The good parts of fraternity recruitment:

·       The activities of each event are planned by the members of fraternities

·       There are not ridiculous rules about what members can do and say before and during recruitment

·       They can drink, cause honestly at the end of recruitment all I want is a drink

These are my issues with the way recruitment is run at my school. I hope at least some of these issues hit home for young women other schools, and I hope most of all that it starts a conversation. That conversation will be the catalyst for eventual change, and I hope it happens sooner rather than later. 

Whether you and you SO live in different countries or are simply apart for the summer, there are certain things every LDR couple knows to be true. While you may get comments like, "How do you stay together?" or "Have fun with that," when you're in the right relationship, distance doesn't matter. Here are 15 things only LDR couples understand:

1. Missing your partner like crazy

2. Having to explain why you're in a LDR

3. Struggling with different time zones

4. Looking forward to FaceTime dates

5. Thinking about your SO 24/7

6. Sending each other letters like it's the 20th century all over again

7. Tagging your SO in cute photos 

8. Counting down the days until you see each other again

9. Sexting...and only getting more frustrated

10. Feeling jealous of couples who get to be together

11. Having an immense amount of trust for your SO

12. Never wanting to let go

13. Talking about your SO all the time

14. Feeling amazing when you see each other again

15. Knowing it's worth it in the end

Ignore the haters, collegiettes.

It’s the set of rules to avoid girl drama, the answer to all those tough friendship situations and the guidelines to promote respect among all women. It’s more than an MTV show and even though it’s supposed to be unspoken, we’re speaking up about it. That’s right—we’re talking about girl code.

So, why is girl code so important in the first place? According to Jessica Rozler, co-author of Friend or Frenemy?, girl code is the female twist to the Golden Rule, aka treating others as you’d want to be treated. “I think EVERYONE should treat each other with respect,” Rozler says. “It can’t hurt to have some rules to remind us of this fact. And yes—all of us need reminders from time to time.”

With this guide, collegiettes can get on the same page so we can all avoid the tears and drama we tend to cause one another. We’ve surveyed more than 40 collegiettes about boys, friends and how we treat other women overall. Get ready for the real girl code!

Rule #1: Avoid dating your friend’s ex—but if you can’t, talk to her about it.  

So you’ve found yourself falling for you bestie’s ex-boyfriend. Needless to say, you’re truly between a rock and a hard place. While you can’t deny your feelings, you can’t shake the fact that you’ve shared a pint of Ben & Jerry’s with her while she cried her eyes out over him. What to do?

A whopping 75 percent of the surveyed collegiettes say that dating a best friend’s ex is completely off-limits. It’s particularly a big no-no if they dated for a long time, it ended badly or your bestie is clearly not over it.

“Personally, I wouldn’t date a friend’s serious ex,” Rolzer says. “I also wouldn’t date a guy my friend had even casually dated if it made her feel uncomfortable.”

However, the other 25 percent of surveyed collegiettes say it’s okay if the guy was a casual ex-hookup. A hook-up buddy or a casual fling implies that your friend wasn’t extremely emotionally invested in the guy, so it’s more acceptable for you to go for him.  

“If your friend wasn't super into the the guy and she told you that she’s completely okay with it, then I think it would be alright,” says Kathy*, a senior from Gettysburg College. “But if she still has feelings for him, I would say no.”

Regardless of their answers, 60 percent of the surveyed collegiettes emphasized talking with your friend before starting any sort of relationship with her ex.  

“If it happens you like your friend's ex, don't wait to talk about it,” says Sandra*, a senior at Furman University. “In fact, your friend should be the first to know that you may even have the smallest feelings towards him. Putting it off could ruin the friendship.”

Bottom line: tread lightly with dating ex-boyfriends. The best scenario is to eliminate that possibility completely, but if you really feel strongly about him, talk to your friend first. You never want to make your bestie feel uncomfortable or hurt by your decision.

Rule #2: If it’s your ex your friend is crushing on, be honest to your friend about your feelings for him.

What if the roles are reversed and your bestie has fallen for your ex? You really can’t picture your ex with anyone else (you were a pretty awesome girlfriend, after all), and it might be really weird to think that his “someone new” might be your best friend. Do you prohibit your friend from dating him or give her your blessing?

“Feelings are feelings,” says Lauren*, a junior at the University of Virginia. “Don't go banning your ex from people, because it'll just make you look and feel immature.”

That being said, be honest with your friend (and yourself) about your feelings toward your ex. Regardless if you’re over him or not, be honest about how you would feel if she dated him. Don’t give your bestie the go-ahead if you know it’s going to hurt your feelings or jeopardize your friendship.

“Just be honest about how you feel and don't do anything rash that could ruin a really good friendship,” Lauren says. “Over him or not, it still might be weird for your friend to date your ex, and that's expected. But don't act like it's all going to be okay unless you are actually okay with it.”

Give your friend props for talking to you first and have an honest conversation with her. At the end of day, you both just want each other to be happy. With an open conversation, you can reach a solution that you’re both comfortable with.

Rule #3: It’s sisters before misters; don’t let a guy get between you and a friend.  

It’s the classic tale of two girls liking the same guy. He’s cute, smart and athletic… how could either of you resist? Even though it might be hard to get over his amazing blue eyes or adorable smile, 59 percent of surveyed collegiettes say it’s best for both of you to back off.

“If both [of] you like the same guy, he should be off-limits to both of you,” says Amanda*, a recent grad from Villanova University. “It will end badly, and no friendship is worth ruining over a boy.”

Things could become a little more complicated if the guy is clearly into one of you over the other, in which case, you should be honest with each other about it. “If you and your friend respect each other enough and care about the friendship enough, you would have an honest conversation about it,” Kathy says. “Either way, you shouldn't let it get in the way of your friendship.”

Ultimately, no guy is worth ruining a friendship over (100 percent of the surveyed collegiettes agreed on that!). You’re better off choosing friendship instead of a guy, because, at the end of the day, there are other fish in the sea, and you’re going to want your bestie there to help you catch one.

Rule #4: Always tell your friend if her boyfriend is a cheater.

So you saw your bestie’s SO locking lips with another girl last night. Even though it will probably break her heart, 89 percent of surveyed collegiettes say that you should tell her immediately—no exceptions.

“I would tell her ASAP,” says Michelle, a sophomore from Rutgers University. “If her boyfriend finds out I ratted him out, I wouldn’t care because she deserves better.”

Your bestie’s boyfriend is clearly disrespecting her by being unfaithful. It’s your duty as a friend to keep her best interests in mind and then support her through the aftermath. “I would tell my friend immediately and support her decision,” says Kelsey, a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “Then just be there to listen and take her mind off it when she’s ready.”

If you’re friends with the boyfriend, this situation could get a lot more awkward. That’s when 11 percent of surveyed collegiettes say you should approach him and give him a chance to explain himself to your friend before you say anything to her.

“Give him a chance to tell her,” Sandra says. “By doing this, you stay out of a messy situation. But if he doesn't follow through, tell her. You would want to know if you were in her shoes.”

It’s a tough situation, but your friend would feel extremely betrayed if she found out you knew her SO cheated and you didn’t speak up. However she decides to handle the situation is her choice, but she will appreciate the fact that you have her back!

Rule #5: Little white lies are okay, but honesty is the best policy.

Your friend just got her hair cut in a bob (it’s not her best look), and you smile and tell her that it’s different and chic. Or when she asks you if you thought the exam you just took was super unfair (it wasn’t, she just didn’t study as much as she should have), you immediately agree and comfort her about her C. Even though our mothers told us that we should never tell a lie, we find ourselves harmlessly fibbing to our friends from time to time. “I would be lying if I said that we should never, ever lie!” Rolzer says. “I think we all tell little lies to spare the feelings of people we really care about.”

While these little white lies are okay when you’re keeping your friend’s best interests in mind, 67 percent of surveyed collegiettes say that honesty is the best policy. “There’s really no reason to lie,” says Cassidy, a junior at Tulane University. “Things are always better when people are honest.” 

Forty-seven percent also specifically say you should never lie to a friend about important stuff. Be real about how you feel if she likes your ex (see rule #2), if that $150 dress she’s about to buy is actually flattering (be gentle) or when you’re angry or upset with her (don’t say you aren’t when you actually are).

You trust your friends to be honest with you about the things that matter most. While you might fib that her homemade lasagna is to diiiiie for (you’re not the biggest fan), keep it real when it comes to the important things.

Rule #6: Help a girl out and tell her she has spinach in her teeth.  

Most of the time, we walk around like we’re ***Flawless (#bowdown). But even if we woke up like this, sometimes our appearances are less than perfect. We’re talking smudged makeup, spinach in our teeth and toilet paper on our shoes; those annoying things that we realize once we look in the mirror after hours of being in public. Don’t you wish someone had just told you?

Part of girl code is helping other women out, which means saving them some embarrassment. While it might be awkward to tell a complete stranger that her lipstick is smudged, 77 percent of surveyed collegiettes say they would want to know. “Of course I would tell her!” says Kacey*, a sophomore from Saint Joseph’s University. “Nicely and discretely, of course. I’d want someone else to do that for me.”

It doesn’t matter if it’s the girl you occasionally see in calc class or if it’s your best friend; just let her know. If you’re at dinner, discretely motion wiping off your mouth if there’s something on her face, or quietly tell a stranger in the bathroom that there’s a run in her tights. It might be embarrassing for her in the moment, but just think how you would feel if you didn’t know you had a rip in your skirt or raccoon eyes all day!

Rule #7: Don’t be catty; no one likes a trash-talker.

Girls get the rep of being catty and fake behind their friends’ backs. While we don’t like to admit it, we’re all a little guilty of gossiping. However, there’s a difference between venting and malicious trash-talking.

When you’re in college, you see your friends all. The. Time. While most of the time it’s great, their dirty dishes in the sink and their consistent tardiness can occasionally get on your nerves.

“Everyone needs to vent,” says Rachel*, a senior at New York University. “I love my friends to death, but there are times they get on my nerves and I just need to rant a little.”

However, venting turns into trash-talking when you insult your friend’s behavior or personality, accuse her of things that may not be true or act nice to her in person and secretly diss her behind her back. “It's NOT okay to completely insult your friends behind their back,” Rachel says. “If you realize you’re saying hurtful things to the point you shouldn’t be considered friends, that’s not cool.”  

Most girls like to talk through their problems and get advice from others. If you’re expressing your feelings about one of your friends, try not to vent to someone she’s also friends with, because that just causes more problems. Instead, talk to your mom or maybe a sibling; pick a neutral source so you don’t cause any more conflict.

Hear someone else trash-talking your bestie? Most collegiettes say to either try to change the subject or defend your friend in a calm way. “If I don’t agree with someone, I say why I disagree nicely,” Michelle says. “You don’t want it to blow up into an argument that could lead to more trash-talking.”

Of course our friends get on our nerves, but it’s better to avoid talking behind their backs. If there’s something really bothering you, it’s better to just confront your friend directly about it without getting others involved.

Rule #8: It’s really not cool to call her a sl*t.

“Sl*t-shaming” is making derogatory remarks about a woman’s sexual behavior. Have you ever thought, “Oh, wow—what is she wearing?” when you see a girl scantily dressed at a party? Or quietly whispered about a collegiette doing “the walk of shame” across campus? You may not realize it, but what you’re doing is sl*t-shaming.  

“Sl*t-shaming, in my opinion, is our least attractive quality as women,” says Sarah, a senior at Pennsylvania State University. “For every time we’ve looked at a girl and judged her with no means to back it up, just think of all the times someone else has probably done that to us.”

Labeling another female a “sl*t” or a “wh*re” is simply disrespectful. We all want to be respected no matter what, and that respect should start woman-to-woman. “Keep your judgments to yourself,” Rolzer says. “It's bad enough when men do this, but it's especially terrible when women do it. It perpetuates this stereotype that women are catty and can't get along.”

Instead of mentally chastising a girl in a tight miniskirt, give her props for having the confidence to rock it. If you hear a rumor about what so-and-so did with a guy the other night, avoid the negative labels, because it doesn’t really affect you at all. It’s every woman’s choice to act or dress however she’d like; it’s not really your business or your place to judge them. 

As females, we owe it to one another to support and respect one another’s decisions. “Women should be building each other up, not putting them down,” Sarah says. “In the end, sl*t-shaming makes us look ugly and mean, and that’s never a good look for anyone.”

Rule #9: Look out for one another, especially when alcohol is involved.

More often than not, you can see a handful of girls who are just a little too drunk at a party. While everyone has the right to their cocktails and tequila shots, every high-school health class taught us that too much alcohol doesn’t lead to smart decisions.

“NEVER abandon a friend that you go to a party with,” says Heather*, a junior at Yale University. “I don’t think it’s even okay to leave a party and go to a different one without the girl you came with. If you go out together, you stay together!”

While most of us have our friends’ backs (and will take care of them if they drink too much), keep an eye out for other girls at a party, even if you don’t know them. “We should look out for other girls, whether they’re friends or strangers,” says Kaela, a junior at Clemson University. “Being drunk can make you more vulnerable. If we take it upon ourselves to look out for each other when we’re out, there might be one less drunk girl taken advantage of.”

Ask your friend if she wants some water if she can’t keep her balance, approach a girl who’s leaving with a guy to ask if she’s okay or pull your friend down from the bar when she starts dancing a little too crazily. You can prevent a girl from making a decision she might regret or save her some embarrassment. Everyone wants to have a good time, and looking out for others can ensure that the night doesn’t end badly for anyone.

Whether it’s figuring out a boy dilemma or avoiding a fight with your besties, knowing the basic guidelines of girl code can help you navigate any situation. The basic idea of girl code is to treat others like you would want to be treated. Keep this in mind so you can avoid the drama and strengthen your friendships with other women!

*Names have been changed.

Tonight’s Pretty Little Liars was touted as the #PLLProposal episode. But if you thought said proposal would happen early in the hour, you obviously don’t know PLL.

Yes, there is plenty of other plot to sift through before we get to the question-popping.

First of all, Alison is released from Welby…with Mary Drake in tow. Not only is Mary keeping an eye on Ali for the hospital, but Ali also plans to keep a very close watch on her aunt.

Mary briefly recounts her interactions with Rollins, all the while painting herself as the victim and him as an evil mastermind I can’t quite see him being.

Ezra returns from the trip I didn’t realize he was on. He confesses to Aria that he went to visit his presumed dead GF Nicole’s parents to tell them about his resurrected relationship with Aria. And I know his mentioning this can’t be a coincidence.

Mona investigates—off screen, unfortunately—and recovers a text from Elliott’s burner phone that reveals he knew Ali wasn’t Charlotte’s killer. Hmm…but who was he sending the text to?

In addition to the burner phone, Mona also locates his burner apartment, which Aria and Emily decide to visit. Because if these girls have an address, you better believe they’re going there.

Meanwhile, Alison discovers that Elliott stole ALL her money. Everything. I don’t care what other cruel shenanigans Rollins was a part of; there is no crime more sinister than messing with a girl’s bank account.

At Ezra’s apartment, Aria gets a call from Nicole (uh huh, *THAT* Nicole.) Suddenly, both Aria and I are wracking our brains for answers to this unsolvable mystery. Is there a chance that Nicole is still alive? This is PLL, so I’m going to say yes.

Emily, who is apparently back in college, has a “late night” with her new gal pal from The Brew and misses a big exam. Never fever, though—A.D. to the rescue! For some reason, the faceless villain decides to assist that “ungrateful bitch” with her test grade. Seems a little out of character, but oh well.

Hanna and Spencer are acting totally weird around each other. There’s lots of melodramatic talk about Caleb, who is still missing. This drags on forever, and I really wish they would just get over it.

Spencer thinks asking the only cop she knows—who also happens to be her ex—is the best way to find Caleb. (Has anyone checked Ravenswood? Just saying.)

It’s at the police station where Spence bumps into Toby’s new boss, that hot guy she made out with in an elevator last week. Called it.

Jenna suspiciously stops by Alison’s house looking for Rollins. Her next stop? The Radley, for a flirty convo with none other than fellow shady chick, Sara Harvey.

Aria and Emily snoop around Elliott’s burner apartment and find all the ingredients necessary to impersonate dead people.

Officer Toby crashes the party and warns the ladies that the cops will be there shortly. They continue to lie to Toby’s sweet, naïve face, and it is the saddest thing.

Ali is summoned to the police station to discuss an Elliott sighting in Baltimore. That’s right—Elliott might be ALIVE. Or else someone is messing with the Liars. Not like that’s anything new. But neither is people coming back from the dead (see: Nicole).

Emily finds Jenna and Sara Harvey hanging out again, and their dynamic is just as creepy as before.

Oh wait, wasn’t there supposed to be a #PLLProposal?

Finally, Ezra asks Aria to meet him at his apartment, where he has lit enough candles to burn down Rosewood.

Ezra is the cutest…this is adorable…I don’t have any idea what he’s talking about, but I can ~feel~ the love.

On bended knee, he asks Aria to marry him, and she says…NOTHING.

But that’s not the final cliffhanger of the night. Noel Kahn meets Jenna and Sara at the Radley, and the baddie-ness of this season is officially ON.

Even now, as an official grown up, there are few things better than a Disney movie marathon or a trip to Disneyland. And if you love food, then your Disney marathons likely come with an abundance of themed snacks. Don't worry—we've got your back, with all the Disney-inspired recipes you could ever want. 

1. Tiana's Famous Beignets from The Princess and the Frog

These look way better than Cafe Du Monde's famous beignets. Are we allowed to say that? 

2. The Grey Stuff from Beauty and the Beast

"Try the grey stuff, it's delicious! Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!" The recipe for this grey stuff sounds amazing.

3. Poison Apples

These poison apples are inspired by Descendants, a Disney Channel movie about all the classic Disney villains' children. How stunning is that deep blue color? 

4. Ratatouille

Sorry, but the movie about a talking rat who is also a chef is arguably the best Disney movie ever. This ratatouille would make even Anton Ego swoon. 

5. Mad Hatter Punch from Alice Through the Looking Glass

This (non-alcoholic) beverage will have you seeing talking cats and enjoying a mad tea party. 

6. Mini Jello Aquariums from Finding Dory

How adorable are these little aquariums? Sneak them into the theater and eat them while you sob violently during Finding Dory.

7. Baymax Cupcakes from Big Hero 6

The fluffy marshmallow friend from Big Hero 6 is undeniably loveable. These cupcakes will be equally delicious. 

8. Monsters University Cookies

Mike Wazowski is definitely our favorite monster. Why not celebrate him with cookies? 

9. Pinocchio Cookies

We won't lie to you—these cookies are adorable! 

10. Jack Skellington Cake

This is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween…amirite? 

11. Rice Porridge from Mulan

Mulan, aka a badass woman who decides to save her country (and doesn't need a prince to save her) with her sidekick mini dragon? Yeah, probably the best Disney movie ever. 

12. Cookies from Alice in Wonderland

How cute are these cookies? We're all mad here, so we'll take one of these! 

13. Winnie the Pooh's Hunny Pots

Oh, bother! These hunny pots are almost as adorable as Pooh himself. 

What's your favorite Disney treat? 

In a classic example of history being told by (and taught for) the victors, Iowa Congressman Steve King made some exceptionally racist comments while participating in a panel with MSNBC about race and the Republican party Monday.

While responding to a comment about the decline in the power of “old white people,” King said, "This whole ‘old white people’ business does get a little tired, Charlie. I’d ask you to go back through history and figure out where are these contributions that have been made by these other categories of people that you are talking about? Where did any other subgroup of people contribute more to civilization?"

When the host of the panel, Chris Hayes, responded, "More than white people?" King continued, "Than, than Western civilization itself. It's rooted in Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the United States of America and every place where the footprint of Christianity settled the world. That's all of Western civilization."

WOW. We need a second to absorb all this.

First of all, King using the word “subgroups”? What exactly do you mean there, sir? I hope you don’t mean that anyone other than western white men is inherently less human, but it kind of seems like that’s what you’re saying. Second, do you really know that little about history? Real history?

One Twitter user summed up nicely, writing“Steve King’s comments are textbook white supremacy. And he’s a sitting US Congressman.” We seriously need to fix this situation. How could anyone with this much power and influence be so enormously misinformed and, frankly, bigoted?

Hayes is facing backlash of his own for not challenging King’s comments more than he did. In a series of tweets, Hayes condemned King’s words and admitted that critics might be correct that he didn't do enough to reprimand his guest.

This isn’t King’s first example of extreme prejudice, either. The New York Times reports that he has made some politically incorrect and insensitive comments about immigrants, and he was also against putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill.

King clarified the comments to ABC News on Monday night, but if anything, his new quotes make him look even worse: "The contributions that were made by Western civilization itself, and by Americans, by Americans of all races stand far above the rest of the world. The Western civilization and the American civilization are a superior culture."

So, yeah. He's still super racist.

Hopefully soon King will be taking some time off from Congress to go back to a world history class taught with a little more perspective.

Every collegiette looks forward to one thing on freshman move-in day: finally arriving at her long-awaited dorm room and making it a place of her own. Move-in day is when you are finally free to make your own decisions and start your new independent life on campus. But besides the obvious comforter, towels, and school supplies, what do you really need in your dorm room? In order to make the most of your (most likely) tiny and shared space, check out HC’s list of the 12 things you absolutely need in your new home and the seven things to definitely leave behind (sorry, stuffed animals!).

Pick It

1. Breakfast Food

Every experienced collegiette knows that you will not want to go to the dining hall every morning to eat before your 8 a.m. lecture, no matter how good those omelets are. You’ll more likely just want a quick bite to eat to get you through an early morning class. So stock up on cheap and nutritious options like Nutri-Grain and Luna bars to keep you awake and full during those pesky early-morning lectures. You could also pick up some oatmeal, cereal, or bread and peanut butter at the grocery store before you head to school if breakfast bars aren’t your thing.

2. Black Pumps

Your freshman year of college will include a lot of memories from your weekends out on the town. Whether at a house party, a bar, or a club, you’ll want a basic pair of black heels that go with every outfit and add a little touch of chic to your look.  But don’t buy heels that are more than four inches tall – remember that you’ll want to be able to walk in them! And make sure they’re not too expensive, either. Some of the places you'll party might not be the cleanest!

3. Nail Polish

When some collegiettes first move in, they think they’ll be in class and the library 24/7. But sometimes, you’ll need to give yourself some “me time” and pamper yourself. And now that you’ve officially achieved “broke college student” status (congrats!), costly manicures are probably out of the question. So bring your favorite Essie colors and manicure tools with you and dedicate yourself to some primping time.

5. A Desk Lamp

When you first walk into your dorm room, don’t be alarmed; we swear it’s not a dungeon! Most colleges have pretty dingy lighting. But with fun lighting, you can spruce up your room and make it 10 times brighter! A lot of desk lamps, especially at go-to college prep store Bed Bath & Beyond, also have organizational features, such as slots for your pens and pencils, space for note pads, and even places to charge your iPod or iPhone. Plus, a desk lamp will make those late-night study sessions much easier on your eyes.

6. A Tote Bag

Every collegiette wants to look cute as they head out to class. So skip the high school backpack and pick up a tote bag that doubles as both adorable and practical. A Vera Bradley Laptop Tote ($61.60) is a must-have to hold all your class essentials and still make a stylish statement. Make sure the tote you bring has enough space to hold your laptop, charger, notebook, folder, writing utensils, your keys, and your ID, and that it has a strong enough strap to hold all of your supplies securely.

7. Cleaning Products

If you are anywhere near the Monica Geller level of neat freak, you will need to buy some basic cleaning products for your dorm room. Mom isn’t around to pick up your messes for you at college (bummer), so it’s up to you to make sure your room doesn’t look like an episode of Hoarders. Buy Lysol to spray down your desk and dresser and keep the germs away, a small vacuum to pick up all the crumbs from snack time that wind up on the floor, and Febreze to keep your small space smelling fresh.

8. Medication

Obviously you need to bring any prescription medication you need with you, but don’t forget the basics, like painkillers and cold medicine. These simple meds are often left behind and you don’t realize you need them until a headache leaves you sidelined from class. So be smart and bring everything you think you’ll need to stay healthy at school!

Also, pick up a first aid kit, which you can buy at drugstores, that will carry other essentials for minor injuries, like Band-Aids, gauze, and antibiotic ointment. And one more thing: talk to your doctor about birth control. Lots of people start taking birth control during college, and you should start thinking about if this decision is right for you.

9. A Full-Length Mirror

This one goes without saying. You need to check yourself out before you hit the town or head to class, and you need to know how you’re looking as you flip your hair singing to Beyoncé while your roommate is out. Not only are full-length mirrors the best way to check out your outfit, they can also be a decorative way to fill up empty space on your wall.

10. Command Strips and Hooks

Ahh, Command strips: perhaps the one product no collegiette can live without. Are you wondering how you’re going to keep all of your mirrors, framed photos, decorative lights, and more on your walls? The answer: Command strips and hooks. These awesome little storage helpers can hold up almost anything you’ve got. They come in different colors and can hold a range of weights. The best part? If you buy the ones that say “comes off cleanly” on the package, when you take them down, they cause absolutely no damage to your walls. (In other words, your RA won’t fine you for room damage! Yay!)

11. Day-to-Night Tops

As a new collegiette, you probably won’t be hitting the mall or shopping online as much as you did in high school, and your bank account will definitely be dwindling. That’s why you need some cute tops that will easily make the transition from appropriate for class to fun for a night out. “I would recommend bringing some jewelry and adding that to the outfit to transition into night: statement necklaces, bangles, dangly earrings,” says Anna, a senior at Marist College. 

12. Wonder Hangers

One of the great joys of freshman year is figuring out what to do with a space the size of your closet at home. But what do you do when your college closet is even tinier? Like, really tiny. You buy versatile hangers that will conserve space and make organization easy! Try Wonder Hangers that will make your gigantic wardrobe fit in your closet and stay wrinkle-free. Wonder Hangers triple your small closet space by allowing for more slots to hang your clothes on. Instead of cramming your outfits into the closet, they’ll fit in easily and be more pleasing to the eye.

Skip It

1. Clothes That Aren’t in Season

We were just talking about how itty-bitty your new closet will be. So don’t overstuff it with your winter coat and cozy sweaters when you move in during August. Keep your closet filled with the essentials for the current season and swap them out for cold-weather clothes when you go home on break. The same goes for shoes; no knee-high boots in August! Only keep a few cold-weather items for the next season in case of extreme weather early on; you can swap out your tank tops and shorts for the rest of your winter wardrobe during Thanksgiving break.

2. Stuffed Animals

Sure, one stuffed animal is fine and can be a nice reminder of home. But your entire '90s Beanie Baby collection is excessive. Not only will your roommate think it’s weird, but you can bet guys will be turned off by a litter of stuffed animal puppies on your bed. So keep the majority of the stuffed animals at home and bring along one (if any) for the ride for sentimentality.

3. Your Whole Novel Collection

Sadly, there will be little to no time for reading for pleasure in college. You will be so inundated with textbooks and mandatory reading that the idea of reading a book simply because you want to will seem foreign. Make sure to keep a list of all the books you want to read during the semester, because you will definitely have the time to catch up over winter break and during the summer (rereading the entire Harry Potter series for the 10th time can wait till break). Until then, stick to what your professors tell you to read.

4. Stationery

Although it’s such a sweet idea to think that you’ll send long letters to your besties from home, this often isn’t the case. You’ll find it’s so much easier and quicker to shoot a text to your friend or Skype him or her. Skip the stationery and instead make sure you have a webcam, because at the end of a long, hard day, what you’ll really want is to see your best friend from home’s familiar face.

5. Old High School Textbooks

You know all those textbooks your teachers gave you? And those Barron’s books you bought to prepare for AP exams? Save some space in your dorm and make sure you leave those at home. Your college textbooks will be much more in-depth and cover more information than anything you had in high school. Props to you for hoping the extra books would come in handy, but most collegiettes will find that they’re just not helpful when it comes to their college workload.

6. High School Apparel

Most likely, your new “school uniform” will consist of your new college sweatshirt and some comfy sweats or yoga pants. Don’t regress by bringing every high school sports and drama club T-shirt and hoodie you own. Of course, you can still bring one or two high school shirts to throw back and be proud of your past (after all, it’s your amazing high school experiences that helped you get admitted to college!), but don’t bring every item in your drawer. College is about moving forward and embracing the future, not holding onto your high school glory.

7. Old-School Stereo Systems

Besides the fact that it’s 2016 and huge stereo systems are completely unnecessary, blasting tunes in your room is a clear signal to your RA that something’s probably up in your dorm (noise complaints can get you into trouble). Avoid people thinking there’s suspicious activity going on (and remain friends with your neighbors by turning down the noise level) by opting to bring an iHome instead ($29.99). It’s small and portable, and it’ll also do you the favor of charging your iPhone or iPod. That’s something everyone in your hall can get on board with.

Now that you’ve taken all this in, you pre-collegiettes should have a better idea of what you need (and don’t need) to bring to college. But maybe even more important than all of the material items—be sure to bring confidence and an open mind in order to start the best four years of your life on the right foot. Have fun!

There's been a lot of media buzz revolving around allegations of performance-enhancing drug use by Russian athletes. On Monday, the results of an investigation on these accusations were finally released to the public. The findings showed that the claims were indeed true—and that the Russian government has been helping conceal it for years.

The government-lead doping scheme resulted in at least 312 falsified results, and lasted from 2011 through at least last year's world swimming championships, according to ESPN. As the 2016 Summer Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil quickly approach, the world is unsure of Russia's fate in the sports world.

According to News & Advance, these accusations claim that the country's sports ministry, when testing for drug usage, told officials which positive tests to report and which to conceal. The official investigation, conducted by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren, determined that of 577 positive samples screenings for dope, 312 of the results were withheld. McLaren's findings resulted in a 97-page document, which he is confident "was not leaked and stands by its credibility." The sports that were most heavily affected were track and field and wrestling, which accounted for more than 240 of the 312 withheld results. Other impacted sports included swimming, rowing, snowboarding and table tennis. The New York Times reported that the subversion of doping controls carried over into a number of paralympic sports, as well.

In response to the disgraceful findings of McLaren's report, U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun stated that the report "confirms what we have stated previously: the current anti-doping system is broken and urgently requires the attention of everyone interested in protecting clean athletes."

The world is outraged by the confirmation of doping among Russian athletes in the Olympic games. Even before the verdict had been released, Travis Tygart, the CEO of USADA, said that Russia has "no business being allowed to compete on the world stage," should the allegations prove true. 

It's no surprise that the findings of the investigation were both infuriating and disappointing to those who believe in the integrity and virtue of the Olympic Games. Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has ensured the public that he is willing to "take the toughest sanctions available" against those involved in the scandal.

Although Blackmun did not say if Russia would be banned from the Rio Games, he did state that USADA "will rely on the IOC, WADA and the international federations to impose sanctions that are appropriate in relation to the magnitude of these offenses, and that give clean athletes some measure of comfort that they will be competing on a level playing field in Rio."

According to BBC, the IOC said it will decide on whether Russia can participate in the Rio Olympics within the next few weeks. In the meantime, the committee plans to re-test every single Russian athlete who competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

As tensions between police and civilians are mounting nationwide, there has been yet another fatal interaction—this time between an off-duty police officer and several college students in New York City. This past Saturday, off-duty NYPD officer Nicholas Batka slammed his SUV into a group of pedestrians, killing one. 

Batka, 28, was slated to begin his shift at 7 a.m. He was very clearly intoxicated around 3 a.m. when he drove his gray 2012 Dodge Durango into a group of college students hanging out in Brooklyn. 21-year-old Andrew Esquivel died at the hospital from his injuries. The victim was a California native and rising senior at MIT on a full scholarship. He worked at Appboy digital marketing frim and was living in East Village for the summer, according to the New York Post.

Those who knew Esquivel, pictured above, described him to the Boston Globe as "one of the brightest people they knew," an "extraordinary thinker," and "confident and driven."

Batka also drove into three other students, who all survived but remain in the hospital. Sophia Tabchouri, 20, James Balchunas, 24, and Divya Menezes, 23, sustained injuries ranging from severe to critical. All three required surgery. The four victims were walking with a larger group who were inches away from being injured as well. 

After Batka's lost control of his SUV and plowed into the group, bystanders rushed to help. One of the witnesses, Ryan Carpenter, tried to provide comfort to the victims. "I ran over and this girl's leg was in half," he said to the New York Daily News. "I took my shirt off and tried to stop her from bleeding while trying to calm her. She kept screaming."

Trapped by a utility pole he crashed into, Batka then shifted to the passenger seat in an attempt to exit the car. Bystanders held the SUV door shut so he could not exit and run away.

When police arrived, Batka refused a breathalyzer test, but it was very obvious that he was intoxicated. Batka was arrested on sight and later fired from the NYPD. The NY Post reported that the two police officers who were out drinking with Batka that night were also stripped of their guns and badges for failing to keep Batka from getting behind the wheel.

The charges against Batka include manslaughter, vehicular homicide, three counts of assault, driving with impaired ability and driving on a sidewalk according to NY Daily News. His brother, John, accidentally died of an alcohol and cocaine overdose last year. Batka has been released on $300,000 bail, but the judge suspended his driver's license while he awaits a formal trial. 

Up until recently, gonorrhea, a bacterial sexually transmitted disease, was able to be treated pretty easily with antibiotics. Unfortunately, this quick fix is slowly becoming ineffective.

According to STAT, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has found that the disease is developing an immunity to the antibiotics that have been used to treat it. In the CDC's Morbidity and Morality Weekly Report, researchers stated that a large number of gonorrhea cases have become resistant to the drugs azithromycin and ceftriaxone, the two substances used to treat the STD.

The researchers examined over 5,000 gonorrhea isolates collected in 2014. They discovered that 2.5 percent of those samples showed resistance to azithromocyn, up from 0.6 percent in 2014. The resistance to ceftriaxone was still negligible, according to Nature World News.

Although it's still unclear whether the rate of resistance will grow even more, researches agree that these findings will certainly mean complications when treating gonorrhea, both in the present and future.

Gonorrhea is one of the most common STDs in the U.S., and can have highly negative side effects for those who contract the disease. If it remains untreated, males who contract gonorrhea may be faced with infertility and severe testicular pain. In females, the disease can lead to infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Furthermore, if a woman who is pregnant contracts gonorrhea, the baby is at risk of complications as well, such as vision-threatening eye infections.

In 2014, more than 350,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with the STD, according to Refinery29. Untreatable gonorrhea could become a very serious issue, especially with such a high rate of contraction. This news is a serious lesson to get tested, always wear a condom and stay safe!

Some people find it easy to complain about anything in college, like saying "I'm starving," even though you ate a full meal just a few hours ago. Then there are the students out there who would've given anything to have that meal, and work against all odds to get an education. Fred Barley, a 19-year-old biology major at Gordon State College in Barnesville, Ga., is one of those students.

Barley defied his circumstances of being homeless in order to continue his college education. He biked six hours on his little brother's child-sized bicycle from his hometown of Conyers to his college in order to register for his second semester of classes, local CW-affiliate KTLA 5 reported.

Dorms were not scheduled to open for a few more weeks, so he pitched a tent in a wooded area of campus thinking it was likely the safest place to stay. With him were two duffel bags of his belongings, a box of cereal and a gallon of water. This was his home at night, while he spent the daytime hours searching for a job. However, his plans were disrupted when police received a call of someone trespassing on the property. He was then asked to leave his tent, but not before officers heard out his story.

Instead of ticketing him, the responding officers paid for a two night stay at a local motel. But that was only the beginning of a domino effect of generosity. One of the officer's wives shared Barley's story on Facebook, and plenty others were eager to help.

With the assistance of supporter Casey Blaney and the motel owner, Barley's stay at the motel was paid for until the dorms opened on July 18. Donations of a new bike, school supplies and clothing flooded in. He was even offered a job at the local pizzeria by the owner, Debbie Adamson.

"I created a position for him before he walked in my door," Adamson said. "I didn't know his name. I didn't know the color of his skin. I didn't care. I've been there so I guess I had a soft spot for anyone who is that determined to succeed in life."

With so many people wanting to support Barley, the GoFundMe page Blaney set up for him has accumulated over $180,000. Barley publicly stated in a video how blown away he is with the amount of support. "More important than everything—the clothes, the shoes—the relationships mean so much more to me,"Barley said.

"I love you all, and I want to make all of you guys proud," he said in the video. Barley has promised to repay his supporters back with good grades and success, of which he is SO deserving. 

After years of reading massive textbooks, hundreds of hours volunteering, an internship rap sheet so impressive Paris Geller would be jealous, and thousands of dollars spent on tuition and slightly less spent on your coffee addiction, you’re ready for a job in the real world. You’re excited and wide-eyed, ready to prove that you’ve got what it takes.

But if you find that for all your long days and rock-star presentations, you can’t shake the feeling that something’s not right and most days, you’re pretty sure you’ve swapped bodies with Andy Sachs from The Devil Wears Prada, you might be in a toxic workplace. 

Dr. Jan Yager, a sociologist, workplace expert and coach, and author of Productive Relationships: 57 Strategies for Building Stronger Business Connections, has designed a short quiz to help you figure out if you’re working in a toxic environment. Be sure to look out for any of these signs at your next position, regardless of if it’s an unpaid internship, part-time or full-time position.

1. Is your boss erratic and hard to please?

One of the biggest telltale signs of an unhealthy work environment is a boss who is unsure of what he or she wants. If your boss is unable to clearly explain tasks and annoyed when you ask questions or, worse, when you fail, it might be time to reevaluate that relationship. Brandi Britton, district president of staffing company OfficeTeam, says, “A company’s leadership sets the tone—the overall corporate culture suffers if managers exemplify poor standards, such as failing to treat others with respect or not providing open and honest communication.”

Often, an erratic or difficult boss is one that also instills fear. If you or your colleagues are scared to ask questions or make mistakes, “this may be because management is cruel or dismissive of workers or has intentionally pitted workers against each other in the past,” says family therapist and yoga instructor, Justine Mastin. A fear-filled environment is one that hinders learning; it’s a sign that there’s no room for professional or personal growth within the institution. 

How to Deal

One strategy for dealing with an erratic boss is to have all of your tasks and deliverables documented. Wilma Jones, author of Is It Monday Already?! 197 Tools and Tips to Start Living Happier at Work, says, “Work to set expectations and get as many directions and tasks delivered to you via email. If your boss won’t send the email, you send the email after receiving the task. Ask for confirmation to ensure you understand exactly what is expected and to use for cover in case of a dispute.”

Similarly, communicate in writing when the task is completed, noting any complications or follow-up procedures. Sadly, she says, “Often, this is a situation where you have to learn to manage your manager.” With any luck, your manager will grow to appreciate your commitment to excellence. 

Related: 7 Things Your Boss Wishes You Knew

2. Did the company make promises when you were first hired that have still not been fulfilled? For example, you were hired to replace someone else but that other employee is still doing your job.

Failure to uphold their end of the hiring agreement is an early sign that your workplace may not be entirely ethical. Furthermore, an organization that makes few attempts to boost employee morale, through formal or informal recognition, probably doesn’t value its workers. It’s difficult to remain passionate about the job you’re doing if you feel like your efforts are undervalued or, worse, like you don’t serve any purpose at all. 

How to Deal

As a precaution, it’s imperative that you read your job offer and job description carefully before accepting a new position. Assuming you’ve done that and you still feel like you were misled, you should discuss your concerns with an HR professional at your workplace sooner rather than later. There might still be room for negotiation, and you can get a better grasp of what your role should be. If you are dissatisfied with the response, or lack of response, at least your concerns have been properly documented should you end up changing jobs. 

3. Does your boss expect you to regularly work evenings and weekends without additional compensation? Or, if you are an unpaid intern, does your boss ask you to work way more hours than you initially agreed upon?

Putting in extra hours is a great way to showcase your work ethic and make a good first impression on new employers. But if you feel forced to work late nights and weekends without compensation on a regular basis, this might be cause for concern. Britton explains, “In toxic environments, work-life balance may not be a priority, leaving employees overworked and unable to attend to things outside of the office that matter to them.” If you can’t seem to stop worrying about work, even when you close your eyes at night, it’s time to check in with your manager or HR.

How to Deal

Approach the appropriate person—an immediate supervisor or HR representative, for example—about your current schedule. Explain that you have been logging way more hours than you are being paid for and explore options for support. If your company is unable to compensate you for the hours worked, they may be able to cover other expenses like travel and dining. If you are working on a time-sensitive project that requires you to work longer days, discuss the possibility of taking one or two personal days after the project is completed. 

4. Do you feel like you are unable to share new ideas with your boss or that your ideas are often dismissed without consideration or valuable feedback?

Complacency in the workplace is not always a sign of lack of enthusiasm from workers; sometimes, it indicates a lack of encouragement from upper management. According to Mastin, you know you’re in a toxic workplace if “management and other workers are reluctant to listen to new ideas and are not interested in innovation…even if innovation could be more effective. In fact, they aren’t interested in listening to their workers’ ideas in general.”

The result is a severely demotivated staff with little to no interest in the success of the company. You worry that your talents are being wasted away sitting behind a desk doing exactly the same thing day in and day out. 

How to Deal

“If you don’t feel safe to experiment and test out new ideas, you’ll reach a stalemate, both personally and professionally,” Lauren Cook, professional speaker and life coach on the psychology of happiness, says. She recommends finding other outlets for creativity in your life. “Keep painting, playing tennis or listening to music. Continue to do whatever sparks your creativity, even if you're not able to apply it currently towards your work environment. It will still keep your brain in that space for enlightened ideas to come more naturally,” she explains.

That doesn’t mean that you should stop voicing your opinion at work altogether though. Psychologist and licensed clinical professional counselor Dr. Nikki Martinez says, “If you have a boss who is always negative [about your input], thank them for their feedback, let them know you will incorporate it and take it to heart, then ask what strengths they see in you that you can build upon. This may help them change their frame of reference and line of thinking when talking to employees.” Sometimes, you might be surprised by what changes you can actually influence.

5. Do you find yourself wondering, “What was I thinking when I accepted this position?”

Workplace depression can be crippling not only to your productivity but also to your socialization. “You start isolating yourself from everyone else and there is such a lack of connection within the working community that you put up your white flag,” Cook says.

If you’d rather get into a minor car accident than make it to work in the morning, HR consultant Mikaela Kiner says that’s a pretty obvious sign that your workplace is toxic. And soon, your negative feelings will spread to other areas of your life, adversely affecting your personal relationships and overall livelihood.

How to Deal

Try to find the good in the situation. Identify skills that you’ve developed since working there—even if they were self-taught—that’ll be beneficial in future roles, like conflict resolution or negotiation. It’s also a good idea to start actively working on a contingency plan, either for a new job elsewhere or for an internal promotion. Update your resume and keep your eyes open for new opportunities.

6. Does the human resources department report to your boss so that you are unable to lodge any justified complaints about him/her?

HR professionals should maintain some level of autonomy and you should feel safe talking to them in confidence, especially if you believe your work environment is toxic. If you recognize that members of the HR department function primarily as extensions of an erratic or difficult boss—for instance, they share your grievances without any concern for anonymity or retaliation—this is a sign that you should seriously reconsider your future at the company.

What’s worse is that when employees distrust HR, they talk among themselves instead. Mastin explains, “A toxic environment breeds gossip. Due to the fear and secrecy, everyone is left to wonder about the truth and starts to create their own. This gossip tends to be negative and adds to the overall negativity of the environment.”

And speaking of HR, a high employee turnover rate is also a red flag. Mastin warns, “A toxic environment will burn through workers quickly—there’s probably a reason they’re leaving.” A quick look at a company’s HR policies will often reflect its corporate values; be wary if these do not match your own.

How to Deal

If you can’t speak to your boss and you can’t speak to HR, the next best thing you can do is make the most of a bad situation. Although you can’t control everything, you can always control your reaction. Britton says, “Try to remove yourself from the negativity by staying professional and focusing on what you need to get done. Don’t fall into the trap of being part of the problem.”

Related: 8 Ways to Move Past Coffee & Copies at Your Internship

According to Dr. Yager, “If you answered yes to just one or two of these questions, your work situation might still be salvageable. However, you will need to make a concerted effort to better cope with, or try to reverse, the negative situations at your current job. If you answered yes to all of the above questions, you might want to start dusting off your resume and, discreetly, begin a job search now.”

Other signs that you might be working in a toxic environment include: you dread going to work every day; you witness a lot of tension at your office and people are often crying or yelling; and you are constantly afraid of doing something wrong.

Sadly, Britton says, “Sometimes toxic environments can’t be resolved. Ask yourself two key questions: What do I stand to gain by remaining in the position, and can I adopt coping mechanisms that will enable me to manage through difficult situations? Your answers will help you decide whether to stay or pursue other opportunities.”

As best as possible, try to remain positive and professional. Remember that toxic workplace situations often force you to develop useful skills like adaptability, teamwork and problem solving that will help you land better positions in the future. As the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

By Rebecca Charlotte

I am not okay.

Even though I graduated in May, I have no sense of closure.  Everyone thinks the girl wearing all the honor cords and graduating summa cum laude has nothing to worry about. But that is not true. I feel as if I have more to worry about now more than ever. More to live up to, more to do, more to reach for. It is as if I set the bar so high for myself that I cannot even see it anymore.

When I got home from commencement, took my lucky dress off and tossed my cap and gown onto my bed the first thing I thought was not, “Oh my gosh I just graduated from college this is amazing!” it was “Oh my gosh I just graduated from college what am I supposed to do with the rest of my life?”

Don’t get me wrong, being a newfound graduate is amazing. It is the culmination of lots of hard work, late nights in the library and an abnormally large amount of money spent on Dunkin Donuts strawberry frosted donuts. I worked my butt off to get my bachelor’s degree.

But I don’t know how to get from here to there. Here being just out of college and there being the next step. I know where I want to go: I want to go to Simmons to get my Masters in Library and Information Sciences, move to Boston and get a job working at one of the many libraries there.

But I am not okay.

All of that stuff is freaking expensive, and I am not Bill Gates.

The thought of how I am going to be able to pay for this gives me panic attacks, nightmares and paralyzing anxiety.

It is as if there is a song stuck in my head, but not the happy-go-lucky Gilmore Girls theme song. More like that annoying “Bad Day” song that always comes on the radio at the worst moment.

What are the lyrics to my inner song you ask?

How am I going to pay for graduate school? What if I get in but don’t have enough money to go? What if FAFSA won’t help me? Can I amend FAFSA? What if I don’t get in? What if I have to save grad school for later? If I do that I need to work on a resume, but how do I make the perfect resume?

Just in case you did not know, resumes are ten times worse than MLA format.

But you know what? I am done. Done with letting my brain get sucked into this black hole of fear and worry. The worry might never fully go away, but I have decided to channel it into productivity. Instead of worrying about whether or not I am good enough to receive scholarships/grants/fellowships/assistantships, I am going to go to the library and take out as many books as humanly possible about paying for graduate school. Instead of sitting in my bed paralyzed by fear, agonizing over resumes, CVs, and cover letters, I am going to open Microsoft Word and start writing one.

No one has ever accomplished anything by doing nothing. So it is time to turn off Netflix, sweep away the thoughts cluttering my mind and do something.

Hear that real world? I am coming for you. 

Whether you love him, hate him or love to hate him, Scott Disick is a core member of the Kardashian krew. Think you're the Lord of your friend group? See if any of these characteristics apply to you!

1. You consider yourself royalty

2. And your friends just don't understand

3. You think about your friends before making important purchases

4. You have a way with words

5. You're a modern romantic

6. Your friends always ask you to help with prank phone calls

7. You make sure your posse keeps up its appearances

8. You have powerful personality traits

9. You're always prepared for important events

10. You're classy

11. You always have the latest technology

12. You know when education is a priority

13. You're always down for a mirror selfie

14. You show your affection in unconventional ways

15. You constantly remind your friends about their strengths

16. You can always rally the girls to go out

17. Or to stay in

18. You may be obnoxious at times, but you know your crew couldn't function without you

Life is full of embarrassing moments—and sex is no exception. According to Dorian Solot, sex educator and co-author of I Love Female Orgasm: An Extraordinary Orgasm Guide, “In movies sex is so smooth and perfect, but in real life some awkward, unexpected or downright mortifying moments are almost unavoidable.” Luckily, you can bounce back from these embarrassing incidents. Rather than pretending these moments don’t happen, we want to talk about them. Here are five embarrassing things that can occur during sex, plus tips on how to recover if they happen to you.

1. Weird noises

Bodies make noise; that’s just a fact. If your (or your partner’s!) body emits an embarrassing sound during sex, there’s no need to feel mortified. “It’s dangerous to take sex too seriously,” says Solot. “The best solution is to laugh and keep a sense of humor. If you smile and say, ‘Oh my gosh, that was so embarrassing!’ chances are your partner will laugh, too. It might even draw you closer!” In the moment, it might feel like the biggest deal—but you’ll forget about it quickly, and maybe even laugh about it later!

2. Falling

Falling off the bed, hitting your head on the wall…we’ve all been there. The same advice applies here. “If something goes wrong, your best bet is to laugh and acknowledge it,” says Solot. “Pretending all is well—when it’s obviously not—sets the stage for major awkwardness. But if you can laugh together, moments like these become just part of the fun.” If your partner makes a big deal about it, they’re probably not someone you want to spend time with, anyway.

3. Blood

One collegiette shares her hook up horror story: “I was hooking up with a guy in his car, and suddenly something tasted salty…so I pulled away and he looked down on me horrified and said, ‘Oh my god you're bleeding.’ I thought I had gotten my period or something but I had a bloody nose! It was all over my face, my body, his body and face. I sat there naked while he wiped it off me then got dressed and went home. He asked if we could continue, so he really wasn't rattled, but I was. I apologized profusely but he never really seemed to care.”

Just remember, it’s not your fault if something like this happens. And again, the way your partner handles the situation says a lot about him or her as a person. Once you’ve acknowledged the awkwardness, Solot suggests making a plan “for how to avoid the same pitfall in the future.” It’s as simple as saying, “Maybe we used a little too much lube that time,” or “Maybe we need to be more aware about staying more toward the middle of the bed." Life is a learning experience, after all!

4. Orgasms coming too early, too late or not at all

Unfortunately, orgasms don’t always happen at the right time—or even at all. Climaxing before you or your partner would like is a relatively common occurrence. If your partner comes too soon, but you want to keep going, Solot suggests saying, “No big deal, but don’t leave me hanging!” She also recommends helping them “find other ways to help you: mouth, fingers, sex toys or making out with you while your own fingers carry you to orgasm-land.”

If your partner is taking a while to orgasm, ask them to change it up. You can suggest a new position or approach that may work better. If you’re starting to feel sore, let them know, and reassure them that it’s no big deal if it doesn’t happen for one or both of you this time.

In the case that your male partner can’t come at all, Solot says, “This is more common than you’d think! Often men who have trouble reaching orgasm are the best, most attentive partners you’ll ever find. Guys like this often need permission to be a little selfish and focus on their own pleasure some of the time. If you suspect your partner is embarrassed, reassure them that it’s no big deal, and move on.”

Finally, if you can’t reach orgasm while you’re with your partner, Solot suggest trying one or more of the following:

• “Incorporating fantasy into the sensations of your partner—superimpose your favorite hot images or watch little movies in your mind. You don’t have to tell your partner—chances are good they do the same thing sometimes.” 
• “Give your partner some suggestions to help you get there.”
• “Give yourself a hand. Most women find it MUCH easier to climax from masturbation than with a partner. Luckily, most partners say they think it’s hot to see a woman touch herself. As you reach down, say, ‘I think I need my own fingers to get over the edge, but this feels so good. You know what would be really hot? If you [give them some specific way to touch you] at the same time.’”
• “Remember—and tell your partner—that most women don’t need an orgasm 100% of the time to be satisfied. Tell them you had a great time but it’s just not gonna happen tonight. You might need to repeat this a few times to convince them.”
• “Most of all, don’t fake! If you fake, you’re teaching your partner all wrong. Take the pledge: I am one of those women who does not fake orgasms! It might mean you’re disappointed from time to time, but when your orgasms are real your partner is learning exactly what does and doesn’t work for you.”

Like Solot says, “Bodies aren’t machines. Penises, clitorises and vaginas don’t work exactly the way we want them to every time. We all need to be gentle with ourselves and our partners, be willing to shrug and try again next time.” Sometimes our bodies have minds of their own (so to speak). Just remember—there’s always tomorrow!

Related: Why You’re Not Having Orgasms (& How to Fix It!)

5. Discussing safe sex

While this shouldn’t feel embarrassing, sometimes these topics are difficult to approach—especially for the first time or with a new partner. “A lot of times there are things both partners want to discuss but neither one knows how to bring it up,” says Solot. “Women should feel totally comfortable asking at the key moment, ‘Do you have a condom with you, or should I pull one out?’” Still feeling shy? “Sometimes it helps to start off with, ‘Okay, this is really awkward, but I know we’re supposed to [talk about STIs, check in about condoms etc.],’” says Solot. “You’d be surprised how often your partner will be relieved if you take a deep breath and get the conversation started!” Having the conversation beforehand can prevent problems down the road. So even though you may be embarrassed, it’s worth it in the long run!

Related: 7 Myths About Safe Sex, Debunked

Sex is not without its embarrassing moments, but it’s all part of the fun. If something awkward happens while you’re hooking up, don’t take it too seriously. Laugh it off, and your partner will too. Have fun and be safe, collegiettes!

Whether you're getting ready to take your first little, your big is turning 21 or you just want to spread the sisterly love, the summer is the perfect time to get crafty! We rounded up the cutest DIY sorority gifts you can make right now, from picture frames to wine glasses.

Clues

Candy Letter

Candy letters are a classic of big-little week and the perfect way to tell your little how much you love her, without revealing yourself. If you need help creating your letter, you can follow these tips.

Two Truths & A Lie

Confuse your little with a good ol' game of two truths and a lie! We love the idea of rolling up your clues and tying them with a ribbon.

Letters

Sparkly Letters

All you need to make these cute letters is some Mod Podge and a little glitter. You can find the full instructions here.

Floral Letters

These adorable letters are so easy to make and SO cute. Make them for your sorority letters or your sister's name—they're great either way!

Canvases

State Pride Canvas

Flaunt how much you love your state with this personalized canvas!

Lilly Pulitzer Print Canvas

Love Lilly prints? You're in luck! You can totally paint this iconic flower pattern, thanks to these 10 easy steps. Make your canvas extra personal with your sorority's letters or your favorite quote!

Quote Canvas

There are so many inspiring sorority canvases on Pinterest and Tumblr, but how do they look so professional? It's actually much easier than you think, if you follow one of these tracing techniques.

Photo Frames

Lilly Pulitzer Frame

It's true—sorority girls love Lilly. If the canvas wasn't enough for your preppy side, learn how to paint this super impressive pattern!

Instagram Frame

If you're skilled with a paintbrush, free-hand this awesome Instagram frame!

Word Art Frame

Express your inner poet by painting a frame a plain color and writing cute messages across it with a paint pen.

Pin Boxes

Embellished Pin Box

You can get super creative with a pin box. Try decorating it with a Sharpie and fixing the embellishments of your choice to it with Krazy Glue!

Pearls & Letters Pin Box

A great alternative to wooden letters is to paint yours on the box directly. Bonus points if you line it with rhinestones or fake pearls.

Wine Glasses

Glitter Wine Glass

Mod Podge is a girl's best friend. Use the sticky stuff to glam up a wine glass or two. See this blog for more details.

Greek Letter Wine Glass

You can paint any message or picture your heart desires on a wine glass. These instructions are all you need to get started.

Lineage Wine Glasses

Use the technique above to achieve these glasses for your sorority fam, or free-hand them if you feel comfortable doing so!

Big-Little Baskets

Painted Cooler

If you have a little more time on your hands, why not make a sorority cooler your next project? It will make a great gift for a fall tailgate, or you can use it to present your little's gifts! Check out this awesome step-by-step guide on how to create the perfect design.

Personalized Crate

A crate is a much simpler, yet super cute way to display gifts for big-little week. Simply paint a wooden crate any way you want and fix wooden letters to it!

Paddles

You can make any paddle you want with this guide. To get you started, we chose a couple of our favorite designs.

Photo Paddle

We love the simple candy stripes on this paddle, and a photo makes the perfect finishing touch!

Daisy Paddle

We're obsessed with these letters on daisy petals!

What will be your next crafting project, Greek collegiettes?

Netflix has just made it easier for you to convince your friends to binge watch Gilmore Girls. A new setting has been added to the streaming website that will allow users to create more private versions of Spotify playlists.

The new feature, brilliantly named Flixtapes, makes playlists of your favorite television shows and movies that you can then send to other Netflix users. Streamers can customize the title and content of each list.

Not only can you personally share the most heartbreaking love story you have ever seen with you best friend, but you can also post the flixtape on social media websites.

To learn more about the new capability (and get in on the action!), watch the video below or visit flixtape.netflix.com.

The independence that comes with college life can be exhilarating and liberating—but it also comes with responsibility, collegiette. Having class for only four hours a day sounds awesome, but it doesn’t mean that you should surf YouTube and online shop your days away. Managing your time wisely is what can make or break your first year of college, so it’s important to have some idea of how you’ll handle all your glorious free time. Her Campus is here to help you with that by taking common high school activities and translating them to college life, so you won’t fall victim to procrastination or get lost in a mountain of unread notes during dreaded midterm week.

During high school you… had sports practice right after school.

In college you should… go to the gym right after class.

Why: Depending on where your classes, dorm, and fitness center are located, sometimes scheduling workouts can be more difficult than you realize. Factor in a shower afterwards with time to make it to your next class or social event and it’s enough to make a collegiette blow off the whole thing. So in order to avoid wasting a good workout day watching Bachelorette reruns, figure out at the beginning of each week how many times you want to work out and when it would be most convenient to go. Write it down in your planner or put a reminder on your phone, so you remember to bring your workout gear with you that day. And once you decide to go, follow through! You wouldn’t blow off high school soccer practice, would you?

During high school you… had a study hall period every day.

In college you should… treat your breaks in between class like study periods.

Why: You may have an hour or two break before your next class, and a nap sounds oh so tempting. But just say no, collegiette! Instead of sleeping or goofing off in between class, bring homework or books with you and find somewhere to study. You don’t have to go all the way back to your dorm; it could be at the library, the student center, or a local coffee shop. Giving yourself time to catch up on schoolwork during the day also frees up your nights, leaving you more time to catch up on your beauty rest and relax.

During high school you… woke up the same time, five days a week.

In college you should… wake up the same time, five days a week.

Why: Adjusting to a sleeping schedule in college can be hard—sometimes your neighbors are loud or your roommates keep you up at night. Not to mention pulling all-nighters and college feeling like one huge slumber party. By going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day during the week you’ll get the right amount of sleep each night and your body will feel more rested. So even if class doesn’t start at the same time every day, try to get yourself on a consistent sleep schedule – it does wonders in the long run. Check out what happens if you don’t get enough sleep in college and you’ll be scheduling a bedtime every night!

During high school you… did your hair and makeup every morning before class.

In college you should… embrace your natural beauty.

Why: It sounds cheesy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true! Don’t let me stop you from rocking a great outfit and killer hair to class, but depending on the feel of the campus, chances are most students go for a more casual look during the week. So wear what you feel most comfortable in—whether it’s skinny jeans and a fierce top or a hoodie and leggings, as long as you still look somewhat pulled-together. You can pick certain days of the week when you want to dress up for class or other commitments, and on off days wear a more relaxed outfit. 

During high school you… had homework assignments to complete at night on a regular basis.

In college you should… devote an hour each night to reviewing notes from class that day, doing the reading, or getting started on future assignments.

Why: Depending on the class, sometimes your entire grade is based on three tests for the entire semester (or even fewer!). No homework or extra credit to fall back on. In order to ensure that you kick butt in your classes you should go over what was taught that day, so instead of learning and then forgetting you’ll be committing it to memory. These ten study tips to get you back in school mode will get you on the right track. Yes, boring we know. But you’ll thank us when test time comes and everyone’s cramming to learn a month of material and you’ve been studying it for a few hours each week already.